Page 37 of No Mercy
He isn’t the little boy we used to chase around the house, or the kid who dressed as Spider-Man and pretended to hang upside down on the sofa.
No… He’s becoming his own man. A man who wants to be with us every step of the way, and I admire him for that. But part of me is terrified of losing the little boy whose biggest worry used to be whether there was a monster under his bed.
He hasn’t left his room since he arrived, but it’s only a matter of time until he learns about what we really do.
A muffled commotion outside yanks me from my thoughts. My head snaps toward the door as I strain to listen.
Then it happens—a male voice cries out in pain.
“Not the balls, woman!” Carter groans.
I can’t help the smirk that tugs at my lips. Carter probably had it coming.
I push off the wall, striding to the door with long, purposeful steps. My chest tightens with the need to see her, to know she’s safe.
Rounding the corner, I find Carter curled up on the floor, cradling his so-called “precious jewels.”
But it’s not him that holds my attention.
She does.
Standing a few steps away is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Her wide brown eyes lock with mine, deep and warm,pulling me in. Dark strands of hair cling to her face, framing her features like a portrait, and all I want to do is reach out, brush them away, and take her in fully.
Then her expression shifts—from surprise to pure, fiery rage.
She breaks free from Flynn’s grasp and storms toward me, her movements sharp and determined.
“YOU?” she yells, jabbing her finger into my chest.
The shock of her touch sends a jolt through me. My breath catches as I stumble back, but I can’t pull my gaze from hers. Her finger lingers for a second too long, the heat of it burning into me, stirring something I can’t quite name.
Her arms cross over her chest, her glare slicing through me. “You’re that guy from the candle aisle.”
My stomach drops.
She remembers.
The air feels too thick, my chest too tight. Her gaze pierces me, pulling at the fragile thread of control I’m clinging to. My heart hammers against my ribs, each beat louder, faster. My hands shake at my sides as I struggle.
Flynn removes his mask, taking a step closer, “Mandy?—”
“Don’t call me that!” she snaps, cutting him off. Her gaze sharpens, locking onto Flynn, and her lips part like she’s about to say something. Then her expression shifts, recognition dawning.
I can see the exact moment the pieces fall into place. Her eyes widen, and her breath catches.
“Parker?” she whispers, the name barely audible.
Flynn freezes, his usual confidence slipping.
Her face crumples, betrayal flashing across her features. “Oh my god. Parker,” she repeats, louder this time, her voice trembling. “That’s you, isn’t it? You lied to me.”
Flynn raises his hands, his expression pleading. “Mandy, I didn’t?—”
“Stop calling me that!” she yells. “You lied to me. About everything.”
I take a small step back, the tension in the room suffocating. Flynn’s gaze flickers to me for help, but I can’t move, can’t speak.
Her hands fly to her head, clutching her hair as she paces in frantic circles. “Oh my god. This is insane. You’re all… You’re all liars.”
